“We are used to watching films that have a beginning, middle and end. The problem with ROCKSTAR is that it starts off most impressively, has some terrific moments in between, but the writing gets so erratic and incoherent as it heads towards the conclusion that you wonder, am I really watching an Imtiaz Ali film? I mean, even the naysayers would agree that Imtiaz Ali is a super storyteller and his movies have been talked about [and also remain etched in our memory] due to varied factors, the written material being one of the paramount reasons.”
“Narrated in flashback, the writing gets erratic as you delve deeper and deeper. The film begins with a few people bashing up Ranbir and one expects the reasons for this fight to come to the fore as the reels unfold. But the sequence remains unexplained even after the movie concludes. Sequences that depict Ranbir’s unpredictable and inconsistent behavior are inexplicable as well. The major mood swings — he’s cool as a cucumber at times, but turns irritable and furious immediately — is also baffling. His relationship with Heer is inconsistent as well. He comes across as an extremely mystified individual. Ranbir’s portions in Prague [including meeting Nargis on arrival there] look unreal. The end to the tale is most worrisome. It’s an open end, with the audience not really knowing what actually happened to one of the central characters. In fact, the second hour is stretched without valid reason and that makes it a tedious watch.
Music maestro A.R. Rahman’s music is scintillating. ROCKSTAR is about the progression of a musician from India and the songs not only tell his story, but also track his journey from a nobody to a somebody. It must’ve been a challenge for Rahman to depict the emotional catharsis a rockstar undergoes and the tracks, I wish to add, aren’t the typical Rahman numbers either. While some of the songs [‘Sadda Haq’] will be loved instantly, a few others will take time to grow on you.
The secret behind Ranbir’s triumph is that he puts his heart and mind into every project he chooses to perform in. Love, resentment, pain, hurt… Ranbir brings a multitude of feelings to his character. It’s a role of a lifetime and Ranbir is sure to be immortalized in this story of a rockstar. He glides into the character effortlessly, so much so that you see very little of Ranbir, the actor and more of Janardan/Jordan, the character he represents. His performance is beyond extraordinary.
Nargis is a stunner as far as looks are concerned, but isn’t persuasive in poignant moments. However, the chemistry between Ranbir and Nargis is exhilarating. Shammi Kapoor is superb in a small but significant role. Aditi Rao Hydari suffers due to an undeveloped characterization. Kumud Mishra is splendid. What a fine actor! Piyush Mishra is, as always, exceptional. Shernaz Patel enacts her part well. “